Tile Game Set

ABSTRACT

A game set includes tiles. Each tile has first and second surfaces, first and second sides, and first and second ends. The first surface of each tile includes a directional marking having a tail end and a leading end. The tail end of each directional marking is adjacent to only one of the first side, the second side, and the first end. The leading end of each directional marking is adjacent to only one of the first side, the second side, and the second end. When the tiles are arranged such that the leading end of the directional marking of one tile is adjacent to the tail end of the directional marking of another tile, the directional markings collectively define a single path that begins at the tail end of a first one of the tiles and terminates at the leading end of a last one of the tiles.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No.63/363,041, filed 15 Apr. 2022, the subject matter of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a game set and method for operating the gameset.

BACKGROUND

Tile-arranging games, such as dominos, are known. Generally, thesetile-arranging games involve arranging at least one tile with respect toat least one other tile in accordance with the rules of the game.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, a game set includes a plurality of tiles. Eachtile has opposite first and second surfaces, opposite first and secondsides extending between the first and second surfaces, and oppositefirst and second ends extending between the first and surfaces. Thefirst surface of each tile includes a directional marking having a tailend and a leading end. The tail end of each directional marking isadjacent to only one of the first side, the second side, and the firstend. The leading end of each directional marking is adjacent to only oneof the first side, the second side, and the second end. When the tilesare arranged such that the leading end of the directional marking of onetile is adjacent to the tail end of the directional marking of anothertile, the directional markings of the arranged tiles collectively definea single path that begins at the tail end of a first one of the tilesand terminates at the leading end of a last one of the tiles.

According to another aspect, alone or in combination with any otheraspect, a method for operating a tile game includes providing a gameset. The game set includes a plurality of tiles. Each tile has oppositefirst and second surfaces, opposite first and second sides extendingbetween the first and second surfaces, and opposite first and secondends extending between the first and surfaces. The first surface of eachtile includes a directional marking having a tail end and a leading end.The tail end of each directional marking is adjacent to only one of thefirst side, the second side, and the first end. The leading end of eachdirectional marking is adjacent to only one of the first side, thesecond side, and the second end. When the tiles are arranged such thatthe leading end of the directional marking of one tile is adjacent tothe tail end of the directional marking of another tile, the directionalmarkings of the arranged tiles collectively define a single path thatbegins at the tail end of a first one of the tiles and terminates at theleading end of a last one of the tiles. A playing field is provided. Afirst tile is added to the playing field. With the first tile on theplaying field, additional tiles are added to the playing field until alast tile is added. Each tile added to the playing field is arranged sothat the directional marking is visible to the players. Each tile thatsucceeds a directly adjacent and preceding tile on the playing field isarranged so that the tail end of the directional marking on thesucceeding tile is adjacent the leading end of the directional markingof the directly adjacent and preceding tile. The directional markings onthe tiles added to the playing field collectively define a single paththat begins at the tail end of the first tile and terminates at theleading end of the last tile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding, reference may be made to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a tile of a tile game set accordingto one aspect of the present invention, with the tile in a firstconfiguration;

FIGS. 2-9 are top views of various configurations of the tile of theaspect of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example operation of the tile game set of theaspect of FIG. 1 ;

FIGS. 11A-19E are top view of example configurations of the tile of theaspect of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 20 illustrates another example operation of the tile game set ofthe aspect of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 21 is a perspective top view of another configuration of the tileof the aspect of FIG. 1 ; and

FIG. 22 is a perspective top view of another configuration of the tileof the aspect of FIG. 1 .

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skillin the art to which the present disclosure pertains.

As used herein, the term “players” can be used interchangeably to referto an individual who prepares for, assists with, and/or performs theoperation of a game set.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” can include theplural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Itwill be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or“comprising,” as used herein, can specify the presence of statedfeatures, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “and/or” can include any and all combinationsof one or more of the associated listed items.

As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” can be interpreted toinclude X and Y.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of X and Y” can be interpretedto include X, Y, or a combination of X and Y. For example, if an elementis described as having at least one of X and Y, the element may, at aparticular time, include X, Y, or a combination of X and Y, theselection of which could vary from time to time. In contrast, the phrase“at least one of X” can be interpreted to include one or more Xs.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,”“connected” to, “engaging,” etc., another element, it can be directlyon, connected to or engaging the other element or intervening elementsmay also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to asbeing, for example, “directly contacting” another element, there are nointervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those ofskill in the art that references to a structure or feature that isdisposed “directly adjacent” another feature may have portions thatoverlap, underlie or directly contact the adjacent feature, whereas astructure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may nothave portions that overlap, underlie or directly contact the adjacentfeature.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” etc.may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements shouldnot be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguishone element from another. Thus, a “first” element discussed below couldalso be termed a “second” element without departing from the teachingsof the present disclosure. The sequence of operations (or steps) is notlimited to the order presented in the claims or Figures unlessspecifically indicated otherwise.

The invention comprises, consists of, or consists essentially of thefollowing features, in any combination.

An example tile 10 designed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 . The tile 10 includes a first ortop surface 12 and an oppositely facing second or bottom surface 14. Thetile 10 has oppositely facing first and second sides 16, 18 transverselyextending between the top and bottom surfaces 12, 14. The “transverse”direction is indicated at “TR” in FIG. 1 . The tile 10 further includesoppositely facing first and second ends 20, 22 transversely extendingbetween the top and bottom surfaces 12, 14. The first and second ends20, 22 also laterally extend between the first and second sides 16, 18.The “lateral” direction is substantially perpendicular to the“transverse” direction, and is indicated at “LA” in FIG. 1 .

Each side 16, 18 has a length 24, measured in a longitudinal direction,that is about twice as long as a width 26, measured in the lateraldirection, of each end 20, 22 so that the top and bottom surfaces 12, 14of the tile 10 are configured substantially as rectangles. The“longitudinal” direction is substantially perpendicular to both the“transverse” and “lateral” directions, and is indicated at “LO” in FIG.1 . Because of the rectangular top and bottom surfaces 12, 14, the tile10 is configured to be shaped as a rectangular-prism. The tile 10 may,for example, have a 1 inch width, a 2 inch length 24, and a 1/16 inch to3/32 inch transverse depth. Alternatively, the shape and number of thesides, ends, and surfaces of the tile 10 can be selected to configurethe tile as any other shape, such as, but not limited to, a cube, acuboid, a triangular prism, a hexagonal prism, an octagonal prism, orany other three-dimensional shape.

The top surface 12 can include at least one division indicator 27 27,which signifies a division the top surface into equally dimensioned andlongitudinally adjacent, first and second halves 28, 30. The exampletile 10 of FIG. 1 has two division indicators 27, each being in the formof a line.

The top surface 12 further includes one directional marking 32. Thedirectional marking 32 can project upwards from the top surface 12.Alternatively, the directional marking 32 can be depressed into the topsurface 12. As another alternative, the directional marking 32 can lieon the same plane as the top surface 12 so that the directional markingis neither a depression in the top surface nor a projection from the topsurface. The directional marking 32 extends from a tail end 34 of thedirectional marking 32 to the leading end 36 of the directional marking32. The tail and leading ends 34, 36 are spaced from one another. Thetail end 34 is on the first half 28 of the top surface 12 and adjacent,such as directly adjacent, to only one of the first side 20, the secondside 22, and the first end 20. As shown in the example tile 10 of FIG. 1, the tail end 34 is on the first half 28 of the top surface 12 adjacentthe first end 20. The tail end 34 can be centered on the first half 28so that the tail end is centered between the sides 16, 18 when the tailend is adjacent the first end 20, and centered between the first end anddivision indicators 27 when the tail end is adjacent to one of the firstand second sides.

The leading end 36 is on the second half 30 of the top surface 12 andadjacent, such as directly adjacent, to only one of the first side 16,the second side 18, and the second end 22. As shown in the example tile10 of FIG. 1 , the leading end 36 is on the second half 30 of the topsurface 12 adjacent the second end 22. The leading end 36 can becentered on the second half 30 so that the leading end is centeredbetween the sides 16, 18 when the leading end is adjacent the second end22, and centered between the second end and dividing lines 28 when theleading end is adjacent to one of the first and second sides. Theleading end 36 includes a directional indicator 38, such as anarrowhead, that points in the direction of the side 16, 18 or end 20, 22that is adjacent to the leading end.

The example tile 10 of FIG. 1 depicts a single tile 10 of a tile gameset 40. The tile game 40 set includes a plurality of tiles 10 that eachhave a particular directional marking 32 configuration. FIGS. 1-9 depictother directional marking configurations (shown as first through ninthdirection markings 32 a-i) that can be include on the tiles 10 of thetile game set 40.

The tile 10 of FIG. 1 has a first directional marking 32 a that includesthe tail end 34 on the first half 28 of the top surface 12 adjacent thefirst end 20, and the leading end 36 on the second half 30 adjacent thesecond end 22. The tile 10 of FIG. 2 has a second directional marking 32b that includes the tail end 34 on the first half 28 of the top surface12 adjacent the first end 20, and the leading end 36 on the second half30 adjacent the first side 16. The tile 10 of FIG. 3 has a thirddirectional marking 32 c that includes the tail end 34 on the first half28 of the top surface 12 adjacent the first end 20, and the leading end36 on the second half 30 adjacent the second side 18. The tile 10 ofFIG. 4 has a fourth directional marking 32 d that includes the tail end34 on the first half 28 of the top surface 12 adjacent the first side16, and the leading end 36 on the second half 30 adjacent the second end22. The tile 10 of FIG. 5 has a fifth directional marking 32 e thatincludes the tail end 34 on the first half 28 of the top surface 12adjacent the second side 18, and the leading end 36 on the second half30 adjacent the second end 22. The tile 10 of FIG. 6 has a sixthdirectional marking 32 f that includes the tail end 34 on the first half28 of the top surface 12 adjacent the first side 16, and the leading end36 on the second half 30 adjacent the second side 18. The tile 10 ofFIG. 7 has a seventh directional marking 32 g that includes the tail end34 on the first half 28 of the top surface 12 adjacent the second side18, and the leading end 36 on the second half 30 adjacent the first side16. The tile 10 of FIG. 8 has a eighth directional marking 32 h thatincludes the tail end 34 on the first half 28 of the top surface 12adjacent the first side 16, and the leading end 36 on the second half 30adjacent the first side 16. The tile 10 of FIG. 9 has a ninthdirectional marking 32 i that includes the tail end 34 on the first half28 of the top surface 12 adjacent the second side 18, and the leadingend 36 on the second half 30 adjacent the second side 18.

The tile game set 40 can include at least one tile 10 per each of thefirst through ninth directional markings 32 a-i. For example, the tilegame set 40 can include ten (10) tiles 10 for each of the first throughninth directional markings 32 a-i so that the tile game set has a totalof ninety (90) tiles 10. Each tile 10 of the tile game set 40 can be atleast partially formed from paper, chipboard, coated paper, cardboard,vinyl, plastic, silicone, metal, wood, rubber, any other applicablematerial, or any combination thereof. The material or materials formingeach tile 10 can also be recycled material. Alternatively, each tile 10of the tile game set 40 can be rendered digitally in a digitalenvironment so that the tile game set 40 can be utilized on a desktopcomputer, laptop, gaming console, phone, smart phone, tablet, any othersimilar device, or any combination thereof.

An example operation of the time game set 40 is described below. Inother words, the below description describes how to play a tile gameusing the tile game set 40. This example operation/game is not intendedto limit the use of the tile game set 40 or the individual tiles 10 ofthe tile game set 40.

A playing field 42 for the tile game set 40 can be any substantiallyflat surface upon which the tiles 10 of the time game set 40 can beplaced. The playing field 42 can also include a grided game board thatis packaged with the tile game set 40. Each square unit of the gridedgame board may be equal to or larger than the dimensions of one half 28,30 of a tile 10 so that a single tile 10 is positioned on two adjacentsquare units of the grided game board when properly positioned on thegrided game board. The playing field 42 has four playing sides 44 (shownhere as first through fourth playing sides 44 a-d). A player can bepositioned at each playing side 44 a-d so that two to four players canparticipate in the operation of the tile game set 40. In the exampleoperation described herein, a first player 46 a is positioned at thefirst playing side 44 a and a second player 46 b is positioned at thesecond playing side 44 b, which is opposite to the first playing side 44a.

Each player 46 a-b is provided or draws a predetermined number of randomtiles 10 for their inventory 48. For example, each player 46 a-b maydraw or receive five random tiles 10 for their inventory 48. Each player46 a-b thus does not get to seek out and select particular tiles 10,they draw or receive random tiles 10. Drawing or receiving tiles 10 thathave their directional markings 32 hidden from view can help ensure thateach player 46 a-b receives random tiles 10. The remaining tiles 10 areplaced in a tile bank 50.

One of the players 46 a-b (e.g., the second player 46 b) can thenrandomly select a first tile 10 (shown in FIG. 10 as the first tile 10′)from the tile bank 50 and, without viewing the directional marking 32 onthe first tile 10′, place it on a playing field 42 so that thedirectional marking 32 is face down on the playing field 42. The firsttile 10′ placed on the playing field 42 must have its length 24 eitherextending between the first and second playing sides 44 a-b or the thirdand fourth playing sides 44 c-d. In the example operation shown in FIG.10 , the length 24 of the first tile 10′ extends between the first andsecond playing sides 44 a-b. One of the players 46 a-b (e.g., the firstplayer 46 a) can then flip the first tile 10′ over so that thedirectional marking 32 is face up.

After the first tile 10′ is flipped, the first player's turn begins. Thefirst player 46 a can view the tiles 10 in their inventory 48 and selecta desired second tile 10 (shown in FIG. 10 as the second tile 10″) fromtheir inventory 48. The first player 46 a then places the second tile10″ on the playing field 42. To add the second tile 10″ to the playingfield 42, the first player 46 a places the second tile 10″ on theplaying field 42 so that the tail end 34 of the directional marking 32on the second tile 10″ is adjacent the leading end 36 of the directionalmarking 32 of the first tile 10′. The end 20, 22 or side 16, 18 adjacentthe tail end 34 of the second tile 10″ is thus adjacent to and/orengages the end 20, 22 or side 16, 18 adjacent the leading end 36 of thefirst tile 10′ when the second tile 10″ is added to the field of play42. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , the tail end 34 of the second tile10″ is adjacent the first end 20 of the second tile 10″, the leading end36 of the first tile 10′ is adjacent the second side 18 of the firsttile 10′, and the first end 20 of the second tile 10″ engages the secondside 18 of the first tile 10′ adjacent to the leading end 36 of thefirst tile 10′. The first half 28 of the second tile 10″ thus engagesthe second half 30 of the first tile 10′. Once the first player 46 aadds the second tile 10″ to the playing field 42, the first player'sturn is over and the first player 46 a draws a number of random tiles 10from the tile bank 50 equal to the amount of tiles 10 played duringtheir turn. Thus, following the example operation described above, atthe end of the first player's turn, the first player 46 a randomly drawsone tile 10 from the tile bank 50 because the first player 46 a onlyplayed the second tile 10″.

After the first player 46 a finishes their turn, the second player 46 bmay select a desired third tile 10 (shown in FIG. 10 as the third tile10′″) from their inventory 48 and add it to the playing field 42 so thatthe tail end 34 of the directional marking 32 on the third tile 10′″ isadjacent the leading end 36 of the directional marking 32 of the secondtile 10″. Once the second player 46 b adds the third tile 10′″ to theplaying field 42, the second player's turn is over and the second player46 b draws a number of random tiles 10 from the tile bank 50 equal tothe amount of tiles 10 played during their turn. Thus, following theexample operation described above, at the end of the second player'sturn, the second player 46 b randomly draws one tile 10 from the tilebank 50 because the second player 46 b only played the third tile 10′″.The first and second players 46 a-b will continue taking turns similarlyadding at least one tile 10 to the playing field 42. The tail end 34 ofeach subsequently tile 10 added to the playing field 42 after the firsttile 10′ is positioned adjacent to the leading end 36 of a last tileplayed (shown in FIG. 10 as the last tile played 10 ^(X)). The last tile10 added by a player 46 at the end of the player's turn becomes the lasttile played 10 ^(X).

As shown in FIG. 10 , the directional markings 32 of the tiles 10 on theplaying field 42 collectively define a single trajectory or path 52 thatbegins at the tail end 34 of the first tile played 10′ and terminates atthe leading end 36 of the last tile played 10 ^(X). Thus, during aplayer's turn, the player 46 adds a tile 10 to the playing field 42 thatcreates, expands, and/or alters the single path 52. As shown in FIG. 10, the directional indicator 38 of each tile 10 that precedes the lasttile played 10 ^(X) points toward a succeeding segment of the singlepath 52.

The players 46 take turns adding tiles to the playing field 42 until thetile game ends in accordance with the rules of the tile game. Forexample, each player 46 can begin the tile game with a predeterminednumber (e.g., five) of points or “lives” in the tile game. During thegame, players 46 can lose a point when a directional indicator 38 of atile 10 points in their direction. Once a player 46 has lost all oftheir points, they are out of the tile game and cease to play. The gamecontinues until there is only one player 46 left in the tile game. Thelast remaining player 46 can be declared the winner of the game.

It is contemplated that at least two players 46 can be on a team in thetile game. Similar to the above, the last remaining team in the tilegame can be declared the winner of the tile game.

Alternatively, or in addition to the above ending format, the tile gamecan end when there are no tiles 10 remaining in the players' inventories48 and the tile bank 50, or when no additional tiles 10 can be added tothe playing field 42 in the manner described above. In either of thesetwo ending formats, the players 46 will count the number of directionalindicators 38 pointing towards their side 44 of the playing field 42.The player 46 with the least directional indicators 38 pointing towardtheir side 44 of the playing field 42 can be declared the winner.

It is also contemplated that the tiles 10 of the tile game set 40 mayhave coded indicators, such as by having color coded directionalmarkings 32 and/or by having coded division indicators 27, to indicatespecific uses and/or special actions according to the rules of the tilegame. For example, FIGS. 11A-E depict example tiles 10 each having thefirst directional marking 32 a and a respective coded indicator. In FIG.11A, the coded indicators may include the first directional marking 32 abeing yellow and/or the division indicators 27 being lightning boltshaped. In FIG. 11B, the coded indicators may include the firstdirectional marking 32 a being red and/or the division indicators 27being heart shaped. In FIG. 11C, the coded indicators may include thefirst directional marking 32 a being green and/or the divisionindicators 27 being in the shape of a conventional recycling symbol. InFIG. 11D, the coded indicators may include the first directional marking32 a being blue and/or the division indicators 27 being snowflakeshaped. In FIG. 11E, the coded indicators may include the firstdirectional marking 32 a being black and/or the division indicators 27being diamond or square shaped. FIGS. 12A-19E depict similar codedindicators for tiles 10 having the second through ninth directionalmarkings 32 b-32 i.

The yellow directional marking 32 and/or the lightning bolt shapeddivision indicators 27 can be configured to indicate that a player 46adding a tile 10 having a yellow directional marking 32 and/or lightningbolt shaped division indicators 27 to the playing field 42 during theirturn can add one tile 10 to the playing field 42 in addition to the tile10 having a yellow directional marking 32 and/or lightning bolt shapeddivision indicators 27 during the same turn. The blue directionalmarking 32 and/or the snowflake shaped division indicators 27 can beconfigured to indicate that a player 46 adding a tile 10 having a bluedirectional marking 32 and/or snowflake shaped division indicators 27 tothe playing field 42 causes the player 46 whose turn is next to losetheir turn. The red directional marking 32 and/or the heart shapeddivision indicators 27 can be configured to indicate that a player 46adding a tile 10 having a red directional marking 32 and/or heart shapeddivision indicators 27 to the playing field 42 gains a point or “life”in the tile game. The green directional marking 32 and/or the recyclingsymbol shaped division indicators 27 can be configured to indicate thata player 46 adding a tile 10 having a green directional marking 32and/or recycling symbol shaped division indicators 27 to the playingfield 42 replaces the last tile played 10 ^(X) with the tile 10 havingthe green directional marking 32 and/or the recycling symbol shapeddivision indicators 27 currently being played. The replaced last tileplayed 10 ^(X) can be placed in the tile bank 50 or in the inventory 48the player 46 who played the tile 10 with the green direction marking 32and/or the recycling symbol shaped division indicators 27 once removedfrom the playing field 42. A tile 10 having the black directionalmarking 32 and/or the diamond shaped divisional indicators 27 can beconsidered a “standard” or “normal” tile that does not trigger a specialaction when added to the playing field 42.

The tile game set 40 may be configured to have at least one of each ofthe tiles 10 shown in FIGS. 11A-19E. For example, the tiles 10 of thetile game set 40 may include only one of each of the tiles 10 shown inFIGS. 11A-D, 12A-D, 13A-D, 14A-D, 15A-D, 16A-D, 17A-D, 18A-D, and 19A-D.The tile game set 40 may also include six of each of the tiles 10 shownin FIGS. 11E, 12E, 13E, 14E, 15E, 16E, 17E, 18E, and 19E. The tile gameset 40 thus may have 90 total tiles 10 when configured as describedabove. FIG. 20 shows an example use of the tile game set 40 thatincludes some of the tiles 10 from FIGS. 11A-19E.

As an added feature, each tile 10 of the tile game set 40 can include atleast two magnets 54, 56. For example, as shown in FIG. 21 , each tile10 can include first and second magnets 54, 56. The first magnet 54 isbetween the top and bottom surfaces 12, 14 and adjacent the tail end 34.The second magnet 56 is between the top and bottom surfaces 12, 14 andadjacent the leading end 36. The first magnet 54 of each tile 10 can beconfigured so that the first magnet 54 is only attracted to the secondmagnets 56 of other tiles 10, and not to the first magnets 54 of othertiles 10. Therefore, the tiles 10 can only be magnetically connected toone another if the tail end 34 of one tile 10 is adjacent the leadingend 36 of another tile 10. If a player 46 attempts to place the tail end34 of one tile 10 adjacent to the tail end 34 of another tile 10, thetwo tiles 10 would not magnetically connect to one another. Similarly,if a player 46 attempts to place the leading end 36 of one tile 10adjacent to the leading end 36 of another tile 10, the two tiles 10would not magnetically connect to one another.

As shown in FIG. 22 , instead of having two magnets 54, 56, each tile 10may have one magnet 54 and a ferromagnetic element 58, such as aferromagnetic bar. For example, the magnet 54 can be between the top andbottom surfaces 12, 14 and adjacent the tail end 34 of the tile 10. Theferromagnetic element 58 can be between the top and bottom surfaces 12,14 and adjacent the leading end 36 of the tile 10. The magnet 54 of eachtile 10 can be configured so that the magnet 54 is only attracted to theferromagnetic elements 58 of other tiles 10, and not to the magnets 54of other tiles 10. Therefore, the tiles 10 can only be magneticallyconnected to one another if the tail end 34 of one tile 10 is adjacentthe leading end 36 of another tile 10. If a player 46 attempts to placethe tail end 34 of one tile 10 adjacent to the tail end 34 of anothertile 10, the two tiles 10 would not magnetically connect to one another.Similarly, if a player 46 attempts to place the leading end 36 of onetile 10 adjacent to the leading end 36 of another tile 10, the two tiles10 would not magnetically connect to one another.

Although the magnet 54 has been described as being adjacent the tail end34 of the tile 10 with the ferromagnetic element 58 adjacent the leadingend 36, it is contemplated that the magnet 54 may be adjacent theleading end 36 of the tile 10 with the ferromagnetic element 58 adjacentthe tail end 34.

While aspects of this disclosure have been particularly shown anddescribed with reference to the example aspects above, it will beunderstood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various additionalaspects may be contemplated. For example, the specific methods describedabove for using the tile game set are merely illustrative; one ofordinary skill in the art could readily determine any number of tools,sequences of steps, or other means/options for placing theabove-described tile game set, or components thereof, into positionssubstantively similar to those shown and described herein. In an effortto maintain clarity in the Figures, certain ones of duplicativecomponents shown have not been specifically numbered, but one ofordinary skill in the art will realize, based upon the components thatwere numbered, the element numbers which should be associated with theunnumbered components; no differentiation between similar components isintended or implied solely by the presence or absence of an elementnumber in the Figures. Any of the described structures and componentscould be integrally formed as a single unitary or monolithic piece ormade up of separate sub-components, with either of these formationsinvolving any suitable stock or bespoke components and/or any suitablematerial or combinations of materials. Any of the described structuresand components could be disposable or reusable as desired for aparticular use environment. Any component could be provided with auser-perceptible marking to indicate a material, configuration, at leastone dimension, or the like pertaining to that component, theuser-perceptible marking potentially aiding a user in selecting onecomponent from an array of similar components for a particular useenvironment. A “predetermined” status may be determined at any timebefore the structures being manipulated actually reach that status, the“predetermination” being made as late as immediately before thestructure achieves the predetermined status. The term “substantially” isused herein to indicate a quality that is largely, but not necessarilywholly, that which is specified—a “substantial” quality admits of thepotential for some relatively minor inclusion of a non-quality item.Though certain components described herein are shown as having specificgeometric shapes, all structures of this disclosure may have anysuitable shapes, sizes, configurations, relative relationships,cross-sectional areas, or any other physical characteristics asdesirable for a particular application. Any structures or featuresdescribed with reference to one aspect or configuration could beprovided, singly or in combination with other structures or features, toany other aspect or configuration, as it would be impractical todescribe each of the aspects and configurations discussed herein ashaving all of the options discussed with respect to all of the otheraspects and configurations. A device or method incorporating any ofthese features should be understood to fall under the scope of thisdisclosure as determined based upon the claims below and any equivalentsthereof.

Other aspects, objects, and advantages can be obtained from a study ofthe drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A game set, comprising: a plurality of tiles, each tilehaving opposite first and second surfaces, opposite first and secondsides extending between the first and second surfaces, and oppositefirst and second ends extending between the first and surfaces, thefirst surface of each tile including a directional marking having a tailend and a leading end, the tail end of each directional marking beingadjacent to only one of the first side, the second side, and the firstend, the leading end of each directional marking being adjacent to onlyone of the first side, the second side, and the second end, wherein whenat least two of the tiles are arranged such that the leading end of thedirectional marking of one tile is adjacent to the tail end of thedirectional marking of another tile, the directional markings of thearranged tiles collectively define a single path that begins at the tailend of a first one of the tiles and terminates at the leading end of alast one of the tiles.
 2. The game set of claim 1, wherein each leadingend includes a directional indicator that points in the direction of theside or end to which it is adjacent, the directional marking of eachtile on the playing field that precedes a last tile point toward asucceeding segment of the single path.
 3. The game set of claim 1,wherein tiles placed on the playing field create, expand, and/or alterthe single path.
 4. The game set of claim 1, wherein the first surfaceof each tile includes at least one division indicator signifying adivision of the first surface into the first and second halves of eachtile.
 5. The game set of claim 4, wherein the tail end of eachdirectional marking is on the first half of an associated first surface,the leading end of each directional marking being on the second half ofan associated first surface.
 6. The game set of claim 5, wherein thetail end of each directional marking is centered on the first half sothat the tail end is centered between the first and second sides whenthe tail end is adjacent the first end, and centered between the firstend and the at least one dividing line when the tail end is adjacent toone of the first and second sides.
 7. The game set of claim 5, whereinthe leading end of each directional marking is centered on the secondhalf so that the leading end is centered between the first and secondsides when the leading end is adjacent the second end, and centeredbetween the second end and the at least one dividing line when theleading end is adjacent to one of the first and second sides.
 8. Thegame set of claim 4, wherein the at least one division indicator of eachtile is in the shape of a lightening bolt, a snowflake, a heart, arecycling symbol, or a diamond.
 9. The game set of claim 1, wherein thedirectional marking of each tile is black, yellow, red, blue, or green.10. The game set of claim 1, wherein each tile has at least one codedindicator that indicates a specific use and/or a special action.
 11. Thegame set of claim 10, wherein the coded indicators include thedirectional markings being color coded.
 12. The game set of claim 10,wherein the first surface of each tile includes at least one divisionindicator signifying a division of the first surface into the first andsecond halves of each tile, the coded indicators including the divisionindicators having specific shapes.
 13. The game set of claim 10, whereinthe first surface of each tile includes at least one division indicatorsignifying a division of the first surface into the first and secondhalves of each tile, the game set including: at least one tile having ablue directional marking and/or at least one snowflake shaped divisionindicator; at least one tile having a yellow directional marking and/orat least one lightening bolt shaped division indicator; at least onetile having a green directional marking and/or at least one recyclingsymbol shaped division indicator; at least one tile having a reddirectional marking and/or at least one heart shaped division indicator;and at least one tile having a black directional marking and/or at leastone diamond shaped division indicator.
 14. The game set of claim 13,including: at least one tile including the directional marking with thetail end adjacent the first end and the leading end adjacent the secondend; at least one tile including the directional marking with the tailend adjacent the first end and the leading end adjacent the first side;at least one tile including the directional marking with the tail endadjacent the first end and the leading end adjacent the second side; atleast one tile including the directional marking with the tail endadjacent the first side and the leading end adjacent the second end; atleast one tile including the directional marking with the tail endadjacent the second side and the leading end adjacent the second end; atleast one tile including the directional marking with the tail endadjacent the first side and the leading end adjacent the second side; atleast one tile including the directional marking with the tail endadjacent the second side and the leading end adjacent the first side; atleast one tile including the directional marking with the tail endadjacent the first side and the leading end adjacent the first side; orat least one tile including the directional marking with the tail endadjacent the second side and the leading end adjacent the second side.15. The game set of claim 1, including: at least one tile including thedirectional marking with the tail end adjacent the first end and theleading end adjacent the second end; at least one tile including thedirectional marking with the tail end adjacent the first end and theleading end adjacent the first side; at least one tile including thedirectional marking with the tail end adjacent the first end and theleading end adjacent the second side; at least one tile including thedirectional marking with the tail end adjacent the first side and theleading end adjacent the second end; at least one tile including thedirectional marking with the tail end adjacent the second side and theleading end adjacent the second end; at least one tile including thedirectional marking with the tail end adjacent the first side and theleading end adjacent the second side; at least one tile including thedirectional marking with the tail end adjacent the second side and theleading end adjacent the first side; at least one tile including thedirectional marking with the tail end adjacent the first side and theleading end adjacent the first side; or at least one tile including thedirectional marking with the tail end adjacent the second side and theleading end adjacent the second side.
 16. The game set of claim 1,wherein at least one of the tiles is: at least partially formed from oneor more of paper, coated paper, cardboard, vinyl, plastic, silicone,metal, wood, and rubber, or rendered digitally in a digital environment.17. The game set of claim 1, wherein the first and second sides of eachtile have a length, measured in a longitudinal direction, that is abouttwice as long as a width of the first and second ends of each tile. 18.The game set of claim 1, wherein the directional marking projects fromthe first surface, is depressed into the first surface, or lies on thesame plane as the first surface so that the directional marking isneither depressed into the first surface nor projects from the firstsurface.
 19. A method for operating a tile game, the method comprising:providing the game set recited in claim 1; providing a playing field;adding a first tile to the playing field; and with the first tile on theplaying field, adding additional tiles to the playing field until a lasttile is added; wherein each tile added to the playing field is arrangedso that the directional marking is visible to the players; wherein eachtile that succeeds a directly adjacent and preceding tile on the playingfield is arranged so that the tail end of the directional marking on thesucceeding tile is adjacent the leading end of the directional markingof the directly adjacent and preceding tile; and wherein the directionalmarkings on the tiles added to the playing field collectively define asingle path that begins at the tail end of the first tile and terminatesat the leading end of the last tile.